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Chengdu J-10CE Dragon Multi-Role Fighter
The Chengdu J-10CE “Dragon” is a 4.5+ generation multirole combat aircraft developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG), part of China’s Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
Designed for air superiority and strike missions, the J-10CE is an export variant of the J-10C in service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) inducted the J-10CE in March 2022 as part of an order of 20 aircraft.
J-10CE Development and Production History
The development of the J-10 series began in the 1980s under the leadership of the 611 Institute (i.e., the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute). China’s ambition was to create a modern fighter capable of competing with Western designs such as the General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The first prototype of the J-10 flew in 1998, and the J-10A entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2005. Since its introduction, Chengdu developed additional variants of the J-10, such as the dual-seat J-10S and the J-10B.
The J-10B led to significant design and subsystem changes to the J-10. Its most notable additions had included a redesigned front fuselage, incorporation of a diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI), integration of an X-band passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar, and greater munitions compatibility.
The J-10B would serve as the basis for the J-10C variant, which first flew in December 2013 and joined the PLAAF fleet in 2016. The J-10C introduced significant upgrades to the platform, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, helmet-mounted display and sight (HMD/S) system, infrared search and track (IRST), and integrated electronic countermeasures (ECM) system.
The J-10CE is also compatible with advanced munitions, like the new PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile (LRAAM) and PL-10 high-off-boresight air-to-air missile (HOBS AAM), among others.
The export-grade J-10CE, which was cleared for export in 2016, retains these core features while also carrying additional configuration aspects to support the unique needs of foreign operators. To date, the J-10CE has been China’s most advanced and capable fighter available to the export market.
J-10CE Specifications
- Length: 16.9 m
- Wingspan: 9.8 m
- Height: 5.7 m
- Maximum Indicated Airspeed: 1,350 km/h
- Max Mach Number: Mach 1.8
- G-Load: -3 to +9 g
- Combat Radius: 1,240 km (2,600 km with in-flight refueling)
- Ferry Range: 2,950 km
- Engine: WS-10B
Pakistan’s J-10CE Fleet
Pakistan’s process for selecting the J-10CE began in earnest in 2016 or 2017 when an attempt to buy eight Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block-52s from the U.S. fell through due to the U.S. Congress opting to block the use of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to subsidize fighter aircraft.
While the J-10CE emerged as the natural choice due to its balance of competitive pricing and advanced subsystems (especially the AESA radar and HMD/S), the PAF did not finalize a deal until after February 2019, following a brief air skirmish with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
It seemed that the skirmish and the IAF’s impending induction of the Dassault Aviation Rafale, which came equipped with the MBDA Meteor LRAAM, pushed the PAF to order the J-10CE in June 2021 and, in turn, AVIC delivered the first batch relatively quickly in March 2022, i.e., approximately nine months. The aircraft were assigned to the PAF’s No. 15 Squadron, “Cobras.”
According to leaked documents, the total value of the PAF J-10CE contract was $1.525 billion USD for 20 aircraft, 10 spare WS-10B turbofan engines, and 240 PL-15E LRAAMs.
Overall, the J-10CE has been integrated into the PAF’s operational framework as part of its offensive and defensive strategies. It complements Pakistan’s existing fleet of F-16s and JF-17 Thunders while providing enhanced capabilities for long-range air-to-air engagements and precision strikes.
It is unclear if the PAF will order additional J-10CEs. It should be noted that the PAF generally inducts a new fighter platform with a long-term roadmap to procure at least 80 units.
